10 reasons why the 49ers will/won't win the 2014 Super Bowl

By Kevin Lynch

on September 4, 2013 7:01 PM

Photo: Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

Image 1of/21

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 21

Let's get the negative out of the way first: Here are the top 10 reasons why the 49ers won't return to the Super Bowl this season.
10. Pass protection has always been an issue. The 49ers are widely recognized as having the best offensive line in football. However, the dirty little secret is they’ve always had trouble pass protecting. Last year, their percentage of sacks per times passing was 8.6 percent. Only the Jets and Cardinals, at 8.7 percent, were worse. The mobile Kaepernick will make a difference but, nevertheless, there are too many individual breakdowns in protection. less

Let's get the negative out of the way first: Here are the top 10 reasons why the 49ers won't return to the Super Bowl this season. 10. Pass protection has always been an issue. The 49ers are widely ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Let's get the negative out of the way first: Here are the top... Photo-5138933.69547 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 2 of 21

9. The 49ers' first six games are daunting. Five of their first six opponents are playoff teams and the sixth opponent is St. Louis in St. Louis. These games come at a time when new players, including rookies such as Reid, tight end Vance McDonald and Corey Lemonier will be adjusting to the NFL. less

9. The 49ers' first six games are daunting. Five of their first six opponents are playoff teams and the sixth opponent is St. Louis in St. Louis. These games come at a time when new players, including rookies ... more

Photo: Reed Hoffmann, Associated Press

9. The 49ers' first six games are daunting. Five of their... Photo-5138934.69547 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 3 of 21

8. Losses on defense could be disruptive. Ian Williams looks terrific as the replacement for former starter Isaac Sopoaga at nose tackle but how will he play when the regular season dawns? Additionally, rookie Eric Reid can’t expect to approach Dashon Goldson’s talent level at free safety early in the season. At least initially, these replacements won’t be as good as the players they are replacing. less

8. Losses on defense could be disruptive. Ian Williams looks terrific as the replacement for former starter Isaac Sopoaga at nose tackle but how will he play when the regular season dawns? Additionally, rookie ... more

7. Chris Culliver’s injury has a big impact. The 49ers secondary looked tight and relatively mistake-free in the preseason. Nnamdi Asomugha looks like he has enough left to man the third cornerback role. But, 49ers radio commentator Eric Davis recently said that Culliver, who tore his ACL in training camp and is lost for the season, was the team’s best cover man. Add his loss to the departure of safety Dashon Goldson and there has been an undeniable talent drain in the secondary. less

7. Chris Culliver’s injury has a big impact. The 49ers secondary looked tight and relatively mistake-free in the preseason. Nnamdi Asomugha looks like he has enough left to man the third cornerback role. But, ... more

6. This is everyone’s favorite – Kaepernick gets hurt running the read option, and the 49ers are stuck with the underwhelming Colt McCoy as their quarterback. If the preseason is an indicator, a vast divide exists between Kaepernick and McCoy. Should Kaepernick sustain a serious injury, the 49ers could suddenly turn into a .500 team or worse. less

6. This is everyone’s favorite – Kaepernick gets hurt running the read option, and the 49ers are stuck with the underwhelming Colt McCoy as their quarterback. If the preseason is an indicator, a vast divide ... more

5. Could the San Francisco Giants foreshadow a difficult season for their NFL counterpart? The Giants won a World Series and the 49ers went to the Super Bowl last year. All great for Bay Area fans, but long postseasons can take their toll. The Giants sustained injuries and looked flat and tired for the nearly the entire 2013 season. The 49ers have already lost two significant contributors in wide receiver Michael Crabtree and cornerback Chris Culliver. Could they also have a championship-appearance hangover? less

5. Could the San Francisco Giants foreshadow a difficult season for their NFL counterpart? The Giants won a World Series and the 49ers went to the Super Bowl last year. All great for Bay Area fans, but long ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

5. Could the San Francisco Giants foreshadow a difficult season for... Photo-5138938.69547 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 7 of 21

4. Lack of a deep threat will alter the 49ers’ offense for the worse. Even though Randy Moss and Ted Ginn were fairly mediocre last year, opposing defenses had to respect them as deep threats. That often meant that the cornerbacks played back and safeties did as well. Without a deep threat, defenses can crowd the line of scrimmage, which can lead to tipped passes, more blitzes and clogged running lanes. less

4. Lack of a deep threat will alter the 49ers’ offense for the worse. Even though Randy Moss and Ted Ginn were fairly mediocre last year, opposing defenses had to respect them as deep threats. That often ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

4. Lack of a deep threat will alter the 49ers’ offense for the... Photo-5138939.69547 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 8 of 21

3. Can Jim Harbaugh adjust to having an older, successful team? Up in Seattle, they monitor the alertness of their players closely and sometimes they delay practice so players can get their proper rest. Harbaugh turned the 49ers around with the opposite approach. In his first year, players logged 12-hour days during training camp and even the regular season. Now with the team in the third year of Harbaugh’s system, will he allow them the rest they need? less

3. Can Jim Harbaugh adjust to having an older, successful team? Up in Seattle, they monitor the alertness of their players closely and sometimes they delay practice so players can get their proper rest. ... more

2. Will Anquan Boldin be an adequate replacement for Michael Crabtree? Kaepernick’s over-reliance on Crabtree last season eventually doomed the 49ers in their final offensive drive of the Super Bowl. Now Crabtree is gone and Boldin is the top target — something he hasn’t been since his rookie season. He also turns 33 in October and has logged 11 NFL seasons. less

2. Will Anquan Boldin be an adequate replacement for Michael Crabtree? Kaepernick’s over-reliance on Crabtree last season eventually doomed the 49ers in their final offensive drive of the Super Bowl. Now ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

2. Will Anquan Boldin be an adequate replacement for Michael... Photo-5138941.69547 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 10 of 21

1. And the No. 1 reason is ... Colin Kaepernick fails to live up to the fanfare. Plenty of quarterbacks with the best of intentions regress in their second year starting. Panthers starter Cam Newton stagnating in his second year is just one of many examples. And while Kaepernick is drawing Hall of Fame praise from ESPN’s quarterback expert Ron Jaworski, Seattle’s Russell Wilson had a better first year as a starter. less

1. And the No. 1 reason is ... Colin Kaepernick fails to live up to the fanfare. Plenty of quarterbacks with the best of intentions regress in their second year starting. Panthers starter Cam Newton stagnating ... more

Photo: Luanne Dietz, The Chronicle

1. And the No. 1 reason is ... Colin Kaepernick fails to live up to... Photo-5138942.69547 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 11 of 21

Now onto the top 10 reasons the 49ers will return to the Super Bowl ... and possibly do better than just return there:
10. The 49ers special teams units faltered last year. But this season, the 49ers fortified their units with the additions of linebacker Dan Skuta and safety Bubba Ventrone and the drafting of linebacker Nick Moody. The team also added inside linebacker Nate Stupar to this group. The former Penn State player made the team mostly on his special teams abilities. less

Now onto the top 10 reasons the 49ers will return to the Super Bowl ... and possibly do better than just return there: 10. The 49ers special teams units faltered last year. But this season, the 49ers ... more

Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

Now onto the top 10 reasons the 49ers will return to the Super... Photo-5138943.69547 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 12 of 21

9. Backup running back Kendall Hunter’s return from a torn Achilles tendon poses questions. Will he be the same player? Is he still as fast? Harbaugh and his teammates believe he’s faster. Among the most underrated 49ers last season, Hunter maintained a 5.2 yards per carry average and hasn’t fumbled in 184 carries. less

9. Backup running back Kendall Hunter’s return from a torn Achilles tendon poses questions. Will he be the same player? Is he still as fast? Harbaugh and his teammates believe he’s faster. Among the most ... more

8. Stalwart All-Pro defensive end Justin Smith turns 34 on Sept. 30 and is coming off triceps surgery. Can he return to his Pro Bowl ways? The answer seems to be a resounding yes after Smith threw Pro Bowl Vikings tackle Matt Kalil around in the 49ers' third preseason game. Also with depth on the defensive line, Smith will likely be spelled more this year. less

8. Stalwart All-Pro defensive end Justin Smith turns 34 on Sept. 30 and is coming off triceps surgery. Can he return to his Pro Bowl ways? The answer seems to be a resounding yes after Smith threw Pro Bowl ... more

7. Unlike last year, this year’s draft class could make an immediate impact. McDonald has already been mentioned. But the team will also start first-round choice Eric Reid at free safety. Fourth-round wide receiver Quinton Patton has been a dynamic presence in his short stanzas during the preseason, and outside linebacker Corey Lemonier looks like a Aldon Smith clone. less

7. Unlike last year, this year’s draft class could make an immediate impact. McDonald has already been mentioned. But the team will also start first-round choice Eric Reid at free safety. Fourth-round wide ... more

6. While some fans fret over the 49ers’ fluid receiver situation, they're forgetting about the improvements at tight end. With a third year in the same system, starter Vernon Davis is poised for possibly his best season as a receiver. His chemistry with Kaepernick dominated training camp practices at times. Additionally, rookie Vance McDonald looks like a more than adequate replacement for Delanie Walker. less

6. While some fans fret over the 49ers’ fluid receiver situation, they're forgetting about the improvements at tight end. With a third year in the same system, starter Vernon Davis is poised for possibly his ... more

5. Kicker Phil Dawson almost guarantees the 49ers will score more points than last season. The former Cleveland kicker hit field goals of 50, 55 and 55 yards again during the preseason and he’s used to kicking on soggy fields and in bad weather. Remember, he came from Cleveland. Dawson replaces the struggling David Akers who had the second-worst field goal percentage in the league last year. less

5. Kicker Phil Dawson almost guarantees the 49ers will score more points than last season. The former Cleveland kicker hit field goals of 50, 55 and 55 yards again during the preseason and he’s used to ... more

4. Two big concerns going into training camp were the losses of nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga and defensive limeman Ricky Jean Francois to free agency. However, Ian Williams seems better than the man he’s replacing. Starting defensive end Ray McDonald said twice during training camp that talent on the defensive line now is better than last year’s. If preseason is an indication, McDonald is right. less

4. Two big concerns going into training camp were the losses of nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga and defensive limeman Ricky Jean Francois to free agency. However, Ian Williams seems better than the man he’s ... more

3. Two areas might carry this team – the offensive line and the linebacking corps. The 49ers return the same starting five from last season on a line that sent two players – left tackle Joe Staley and guard Mike Iupati — to the Pro Bowl last season. The entire linebacking corps could possibly go to the Pro Bowl this year. less

3. Two areas might carry this team – the offensive line and the linebacking corps. The 49ers return the same starting five from last season on a line that sent two players – left tackle Joe Staley and guard ... more

Photo: Chris Graythen, Getty Images

3. Two areas might carry this team – the offensive line and the... Photo-5138950.69547 - StamfordAdvocate

1. The 49ers defense appears to be back. A team that allowed just over two touchdowns a game for most of 2012 collapsed towards the end of the season. From mid-December through the Super Bowl last year, the defense’s points allowed per game doubled to an average of four touchdowns. Throughout the preseason, though, the 49ers were back to their dominating ways. Even the second-team defense kept first team offenses stifled. less

1. The 49ers defense appears to be back. A team that allowed just over two touchdowns a game for most of 2012 collapsed towards the end of the season. From mid-December through the Super Bowl last year, the ... more

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

1. The 49ers defense appears to be back. A team that allowed just... Photo-5138952.69547 - StamfordAdvocate